Fight Fixin’ is a fantasy matchmaking article that comes out after every major event and features possible matchups for main card winners and/or losers from the previous event.
Alexander Gustafsson
The main event of UFC 192 saw an epic light heavyweight title fight between champion Daniel Cormier and challenger Alexander Gustafsson. Although DC is keeping the belt warm for Jon Jones, who will return to the Octagon next year, he proved in his split decision win over Gustafsson that he’s not just a wrestler, he’s a fully-fledged mixed martial artist. For 25 minutes these two went at each other, and although Gustafsson hurt Cormier badly and even took him down a few times, DC was able to outland Gustafsson in the final, deciding round to retain the title in a “Fight of the Year” contender.
DC will move on to his rematch with Jones, but for Gustafssson, this loss puts him in a funny spot. He’s now lost two straight fights and three of his last four overall, but he’s proven he can be competitive with the top two light heavyweights in the division. Still, he has lost two in a row, and he’s a marketable guy, so the UFC would be right to put him in against an overmatched-yet-ranked opponent and get him back on track. I say match up “The Mauler” against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, who has also lost two straight fights. I think this would be a good fight to get Gustafsson back on track, and the fans would likely be greeted with a spectacular knockout finish. Sounds like a pretty good main event for a Swedish Fight Night event.
Fight to make: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Rafael Cavalcante
Rashad Evans
In the co-main event of UFC 192, Rashad Evans looked old and slow as he lost a unanimous decision to Ryan Bader. Bader is a very good fighter so you can’t knock Evans too much here, but the fact is he showed his age, and with so much time off and so many injuries, you have to wonder where he is now in his career.
For his next fight, if Evans chooses to continue to fight, I’d like to see him take on Jimi Manuwa, who is ranked in the top 10 but who would be a fairly easy win for Evans – or at least he should be. If Evans can’t beat Manuwa, we’ll know he’s done. But if he can beat him, perhaps it would light the fire under Evans to make one last run at the belt.
Fight to make: Rashad Evans vs. Jimi Manuwa
Shawn Jordan
In a heavyweight fight, Shawn Jordan saw his three-fight win streak snapped by Ruslan Magomedov, who used his long-range striking to control distance and keep Jordan away from him for 15 minutes en route to a unanimous decision victory. It wasn’t the most exciting heavyweight fight, but Jordan did show some nice durability for a change, as he’s often knocked out in his losses. Still, it was a loss and he has to work his way back up the heavyweight ladder now.
For his next fight let’s see Jordan take on Timothy Johnson, another big heavyweight who is coming off of a tough loss to Jared Rosholt. Both guys are exciting fighters, and I can’t see this fight going the distance, so the fans should be happy with this booking, and the winner of the fight can move back up the 265-pound ladder.
Fight to make: Shawn Jordan vs. Timothy Johnson
Ali Bagautinov
In a flyweight match, Ali Bagautinov returned from a year-long PED suspension, and while he was more competitive than most figured he would be, he ultimately lost a unanimous decision against top-ranked Joseph Benavidez. Still, it wasn’t a bad performance by any means, and it keeps him ranked highly at 125 lbs.
For his next matchup, let’s see Bagautinov take on Ian McCall. Both guys have pretty similar styles in that they are both wrestlers with solid striking, and with both men ranked similarly in their weight class and both coming off of losses, I think this would be a pretty decent scrap to help sort out the list of contenders in the flyweight division.
Fight to make: Ali Bagautinov vs. Ian McCall
Jessica Eye
In a women’s bantamweight fight, Jessica Eye was once again outwrestled as she lost a unanimous decision to Julianna Pena. It’s the second-straight fight that Eye has lost by being taken down and outgrappled, and while she has proven durable enough not to get finished, she’s also shown that she simply lacks in the wrestling to ever truly make a run at champion Ronda Rousey.
For her next fight, let’s see Eye take on another wrestler in Sara McMann. Both women have lost two straight fights and it’s make-or-break time for both. If Eye can’t stop McMann’s takedowns – McMann has an Olympic wrestling background but her wrestling has proven suspect in MMA competition – then she really doesn’t deserve her place in the top 10. As for McMann, while she has a wrestling background, her striking leaves much to be desired, and Eye’s best skill is her boxing. So I say match these two up, and the winner can stay in the UFC while the loser can head to Invicta.
Fight to make: Jessica Eye vs. Sara McMann
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UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson took place on October 3, 2015 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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